By John Johnson

L-R: PCCA President and CEO Wally Darneille and PCCA Chairman Eddie Smith display the plaque awarded to the cooperative by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) was inducted into the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual meeting December 2 in Lubbock. PCCA is the first agribusiness in Lubbock to receive the honor.

PCCA was recognized for its leadership in the world cotton industry, its support of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, and its economic impact on the Lubbock community.

“PCCA markets cotton produced throughout most of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas for its 25,000 stockholders, accounting for almost 30 percent of the entire U.S. cotton crop annually,” said Chamber Chairman Gary Gregory. “In the past five years, PCCA has distributed additional, value-added cash payments to its members totaling $133 million,” Gregory noted. “Much of this money, along with the proceeds from the sale of members’ cotton, flows through the Lubbock economy each year.”

“Induction into the Lubbock Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor,” said PCCA President and CEO Wally Darneille. “It is a direct result of the foresight, dedication and commitment of the many leaders of this cooperative throughout its history.”